Universitas Istropolitana

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Former university building
Former university building

The Universitas Istropolitana (since the 16th century frequently - but incorrectly - referred to as Academia Istropolitana) in Pressburg (today's Bratislava) was the first university to be founded in the territory of present-day Slovakia.

It was founded in 1465 by Pope Paul II on the request of King Matthias Corvinus. It was the only university in the Kingdom of Hungary at that time, although historically not the first in Hungarian territory. Many well-known lecturers from Austria, Italy end elsewhere taught at the school. The university ceased to exist around 1490 after the death of Matthias Corvinus. The renaissance university building still stands in Bratislava, currently housing the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava.

The word "Istropolitana" is taken from the ancient Greek name for Bratislava, Istropolis, which means "Danube City".

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Coordinates: 48°08′32″N 17°06′23″E / 48.14222, 17.10639